EY'S

" he spat. "I've already canceled an important

behind who thought the world revolved around him. Or rather, "my world." If

m to ashes with a lighter in his study, or ke

the door and stared

a divorce by agreement, then I will have to file a lawsuit. That will on

use. I stood in front of the door, blocking Mark from sneaking a peek inside and seeing something he shouldn't

-it was as far as I could go to protect the entrance. I silently r

'll say it one last time: whether w

I had no right to break off the alliance? Thanks to Mark, the fear

ntrol over my own life? I had tolerated his domineering

im. In fact, I didn't have the time to a

bit back the words I

asked, "You really wan

th me now!" he demanded. H

es tiredly before reluctantly agreeing, "Fine, if you'r

sign of the man, I thought stepping out now would probably

front door and

u," I sai

n and stepped off the porch

yes caught a metal pole lying nearby in the garden. It was

d, I took a deep breath and stepped away from

ned, but that was less of a problem. Th

ght behind him and waited for the perfect moment to strike. When he stopped to loo

d on the back

all his bravado, he crumpled to the ground, knocked out by just

went to meet his assistan

ur boss out of my

sat in the d

he looked behind me and saw Mark lying

med, rushing to Mark's side and che

s out cold, u

Mark was too heavy. But eventually, he mana

ant's shoulders. With effort, the assistant sh

d to me after c

. To

my hand to

Also, tell your boss I'll resend him a divorce agreement. Please hav

that clearly said, "I don't want to get

e wind as he settled into the car w

d off into the distance be

ed who still waited inside, the tension and

ould I just take this o

-I didn't know what. I kep

o far. I searched the house with my eyes for any sign of him. He was no

reall

ong with the immediate anger that someone had actually br

the landline and diale

red, not bothering to sound friendly. "Villa number 27, in the hills. Your system fa

hing, but I was too ann

" the operator said. "We'll send a team to

team to be here first thing in the morning,

. Just when I thought I could finally rest, my phone rang. I glanced

kend with Mark!" Dad's voice roared through

always been adamant that I be with Mark, despite all

press, I brought up the options menu and selected "Block Number." A confirmation po

floor, my back against the soft cushions, and

weekend. It was Dad's birthday, and it wouldn't be the best moment to announce m